Autoblog

When the Chevy Cobalt first hit the scene as a 2005 model, it was a much better car than the basic transportation it replaced, but it was still a bit too Cavalier-looking for some. All that is scheduled to change for the 2010 model year, as the bow-tie will unveil a new Cobalt based of the same global Delta platform that will also underpin the Volt and next Saturn Astra.

Brenda Priddy and her voyeur minions caught a well-disguised 2010 Cobalt roaming the streets, and while it looks like it was doused in silly-string, we can still see plenty of promise. Most noticeably, the 'Balt's profile looks much more refined than that of the current model, with a more graceful greenhouse and prominent nose. Thankfully, the handsome two-tier grill looks to be making its way over from the Malibu, which will help further separate the Cobalt from its economy car past. A sedan and coupe will be available, and we're assuming that we'll see a new, faster Cobalt SS, as well.

High gas prices already have the Cobalt selling in record numbers, and if GM can pull off a better Cobalt by next summer, the amount of them leaving dealer lots should grow considerably. Hit the read link below to see the spy shots. Thanks for the tip, noe!

[Source: Motor Trend]

You might recall the speculation that surrounded Dodge's new CUV and what name it would take when it graced the show stand in Frankfurt. Sources claimed that the trucklet would carry a "Crew" badge, but when the wraps came off, the Journey was born. So much for reliable sources, right? Wrong.

Brenda Priddy actually has in her possession a "Crew" nameplate that was acquired through her normal mischievous means, confirming the rumor that the name was changed just two weeks before its reveal in Germany. While it's an interesting story, what's even cooler is that Brenda will be auctioning off the one-of-a-kind "Crew" badge, some camouflage that covered the prototype and a handful of other espionage-related kit with all the proceeds going to a charity of your choice.

You can read Brenda's full description of the items after the jump and place your bids over at eBay.

Ace spy photographer Brenda Priddy is auctioning off a piece of automotive kitsch. Up for grabs in this eBay auction is a piece of camo that came off of a Jaguar XF prototype, which is kind of fun if you're into Jags or just offbeat automobilia. But there's an even better reason to bid - all the money raised will go to charity.

What the top bidder receives, besides the knowledge that he or she has helped a good cause, is "a sticky wad of camouflage from the not-yet-out 2009 Jaguar XF!! The "camouflage", in this case, is a small bundle or wad of silver and black SUPER-STICKY duct-tape-like adhesive." And Brenda herself promises it is authentic. "We personally witnessed as an engineer peeled a bit of tape off a prototype and then threw it way in a garbage can at a remote gas station in an undisclosed location."

[Source: eBay]

Chris Doane has done it again. The latest Accord to be caught by this ace spy photographer is apparently the 2008 Honda Accord V6. Note the dual rear exhausts when you click through to see the full-size pics at Straightline. Another lightly-disguised sedan undergoing final testing, this V6 differs little from the previous base sedan we showed you a couple of weeks ago. Slightly different 7-spoke wheels and a sunroof are the only apparent changes besides the dual pipes out back. Oh, and one interior shot shows a fairly large binnacle for the nav system in the top center of the dash.

Not meant to set the design world atwitter, the new Accord is inoffensive if not handsome. The sedan styling echoes that of the Accord coupe that was unveiled as a concept last January in Detroit and has also been captured by Brenda Priddy & Company. Lacking the honeycomb grille of the coupe, the sedan offers a slightly more mainstream look that should continue to win hundreds of thousands of buyers annually in the midsize sedan segment.

Rumors suggest those buyers will find a bit more personality under the hood, via a new 3.5L V6 with at least 270 horsepower on tap. Lower emissions and and better mileage are expected too, thanks to Honda's new cylinder deactivation feature. Looks like we'll be getting a new acronym in the process (VTEC, ftw!). Production of the new Accord should start in September or October with deliveries to dealerships arriving not long after.

[Source: Straightline]

Ace spy photographer Chris Doane happened upon a very lightly disguised 2008 Honda Accord sedan development vehicle doing some hot weather testing, and fortunately for us had his camera on him (we think he sleeps with a Canon under his pillow). The Accord is certainly one of Honda's most important products, and we can see from these shots that the sedan will look similar but not identical to the Accord coupe that was unveiled as a concept last January in Detroit and has already been spotted out in the wild. Brenda Priddy & Co. notes the sedan is lacking the honeycomb grille from the coupe and certain lines of the body are different. In our estimation, it's a fairly vanilla design, which is in keeping with this car's purpose of appealing to the largest demographic possible in the midsize sedan segment.

While this mule was likely a four-cylinder model, we expect a new 3.5L V6 from Honda for the Accord with at least 270 horsepower when the car debuts later this year. Expect lower emissions, however, and tricks like cylinder deactivation to increase the car's fuel economy at the same time. The four-cylinder, meanwhile, will likely have around 180 horsepower. Production of the new Accord should start in September or October with deliveries to dealerships arriving not long after.

Check out higher resolution spy shots of the 2008 Honda Accord sedan from various angles by viewing the gallery. For reference, also check out the high-res gallery of the Accord Coupe Concept by clicking here.

UPDATE: Things are back to normal at TOV, so the live link is back.

We just showed you a decent cell phone spy shot of Honda's new 2008 Accord Coupe, and we speculated that the professional carparazzi would be able to track one down soon to provide additional photos for our edification. Sure enough, we now have some genuine, professional spy shots in all their DSLR glory, and it's quite a selection. Brenda Priddy and crew captured all angles of Honda's new coupe, including the interior. The car is still wearing some light camo on the front and rear fascia and three quarter windows, but otherwise it is virtually naked.

What you can see looks a lot like the concept we saw in LA and Detroit. Compare the pics in our gallery to those at the Read link and you'll see a handsome coupe that has some upscale details and a fairly aggressive overall look, especially in those wheel arches that continue into the lower body styling front to rear in one continuous sweep.

Differences between the concept and production version appear to be minor. The grille appears more car-like, the exhaust tips have been made more practical, and there are different, but equally attractive wheels filling the fenderwells. This version is also sporting a trunklid spoiler and repositioned cyclops brakelight out back. With the still-partially-taped taillights, the rear almost looks like a Chrysler, and the front reminds some of a Scion tC, but when it finally emerges fully unclothed this fall, it should be a unique design. The partial interior shot shows a two-tone black over tan interior with a dash that looks rather similar to the current model.

Click the read link for half a dozen large photos at Temple of VTEC.

Thanks to shadow7 for the tip.

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

It looks like the relatively fresh Porsche Cayman will be staying one step ahead of the curve by undergoing an early touch-up. As these Brenda Priddy spy shots show, changes are afoot. Expected sometime next year, the 2009 model Cayman will feature a revised nose and rear fascia with reshaped lights that use LEDs. These are basically the same changes we noted on the recent spy shots of the '08 Boxster, which makes sense.

The front air intakes are more rounded, giving spotters an immediate point to differentiate old from new. From the back you'll notice the new bumper with its cat's eye lenses housing the aforementioned LED lighting. As with the Boxster news, there is still no word on powertrain or interior updates. Thankfully, the sexy flanks remain intact and we can only presume that the Cayman will soldier on as one of the best driving experiences on the road today. Click the read link for a few more full-size shots.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

While "Porsche" and "Nürburgring" seem to go hand-in-hand, "911 Turbo Cabrio" and "Sweden in March" don't necessarily seem to be as good a match. They're more like the odd couple, really. However, if said Porsche is still not quite ready for prime time, then doing some winter weather testing in REALLY cold weather makes sense. Plus, it doesn't hurt that you'd be away from prying eyes -- at least most of the time. It seems the Brenda Priddy network of automotive shutterbugs has managed to capture the new 997 Turbo Cabriolet ahead of its official debut. There have been a few disguised prototypes and mules caught before now, but these are the first shots of a clean, unwrapped car. And it looks good. The Car Connection has the full size version of the image at right, as well as an illustration that looks pretty spiffy.

This newest all-wheel-drive convertible should share most of its mechanicals with the coupe, including that ripping twin-turbo, 3.6-liter flat-six. You know...the one that makes 480 smooth horsepower, all controlled with your right foot and your choice of either a six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic. The Turbo Cab Tiptronic in 996 guise was Car and Driver's quickest Turbo ever before the 997 hit the scene, so don't scoff at the ragtop/slushbox combo. After all, it's still a Porsche Turbo.. The droptop might show up in Geneva this week (it's due in the Spring), but you can see it right now with a simple click. Expect pricing to start about 10 grand above the hardtop model's MSRP of $122,900.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Although Dodge made a few changes to the midsize Dakota pickup for 2007, it looks like bigger changes are in store for '08. With spy shots by Brenda Priddy in hand, Edmund's Straighline is speculating that the recently updated 3.7L V-6 will be replaced by Chrysler's 4.0L unit and that the existing 4.7L V-8s will simply get a few extra ponies. Besides the engine changes, this freshened Dakota features a more rounded and chrome-laden grille, new headlamps and relocated badge. Even more importantly, however, the new Dakota will see some much-needed changes on the inside as well. For a bigger version of our "after" picture, follow the Read link.


[Source: Edmund's Straightline]

No doubt by now you've heard about VetteGate, our name for the prank pulled by online buff book Winding Road in its January 2007 issue. To recap, WR took a Corvette Z06 and masked it up with tape, fake fender flares and a hood scoop made from cardboard. The result was a car that looked convincingly like a prototype for the "Blue Devil" super Vette currently being developed by General Motors. The fake "Blue Devil" was then driven around Metro Detroit, which led to the public taking pics of the car and unknowingly submitting them to other media outlets as genuine shots of the "Blue Devil". The shots were then published online by The Car Connection, AutoWeek, MotorTrend and other sites like this one.

We were curious how professional spy photographers reacted to finding out that someone had driven around a faux prototype, perhaps one they themselves could've shot and sold for money to their clients. We asked both Brenda Priddy and Chris Doane, two names you should know if you follow spy shots that we've covered on Autoblog, to give us their take on the prank Winding Road pulled.

You can read a statement prepared by Chris Doane and a short interview with Brenda Priddy after the jump.